Sir Keir Starmer refused to release files on the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as UK trade envoy, while his Deputy Prime Minister issued an apology over the hiring of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.However, the Liberal Democrats launched a bid today to force the publication of such documents, which successfully passed as a motion, without the need for a vote. The party utilised a rare “humble address” procedure to require the Government to release all papers connected to the ex-Prince’s appointment as trade envoy in 2001. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor served as a trade envoy for 10 years, under Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
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Sir Ed Davey described the scandals surrounding Lord Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as the nation’s trade envoy as “symbolic of the rot that eats away at the British establishment”.There was a great deal of back-and-forth today in the House of Commons as Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant confirmed the Government would not be able to unseal some documents as the Liberal Democrats attempted to compel their release today.Sir Chris said that some files would remain unpublished until the police are “satisfied” they are no longer needed for their inquiries.Colum Eastwood, the Social Democratic and Labour Party MP for Foyle, said in the Commons: “I have asked that the Government release the files concerning whatever his new name is, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, when he was a trade envoy.“That request has been refused.“Can I ask, gently, the minister to review that decision and to ask that all of these files in the new spirit of openness and transparency, that those files are open for all to see?”Trade minister Sir Chris replied: “I agree with him that is the direction of travel that we’re going in and that’s why we agree with the humble address today as it’s been presented.“We’re not standing in the way. We will do everything we can to comply with that as fast as we possibly can.”LATEST DEVELOPMENTSRachel Reeves charges taxpayers £20,000 to furnish her flatPeter Mandelson breaks silence with swipe at police in first statement since arrest’Come ON!’ Martin Daubney slaps down Labour MP after blaming Tories despite being in powerMeanwhile, Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was holding a press conference on his new justice reforms, where he issued an apology over Peter Mandelson being given the plum diplomatic role last year.He said: “The Prime Minister has apologised for the appointment of Peter Mandelson.“His former Chief of Staff stood down and took responsibility for that appointment.“As Foreign Secretary at the time, of course, I was subject to collective responsibility, and I am sorry that that decision was made.”Mr Lammy was referring to the requirement of Government ministers to publicly support and take responsibility for Cabinet decisions, regardless of private disagreements.Lord Mandelson was sacked from the top diplomatic role in September last year after details of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light.Subsequently, more details have emerged, which led to his arrest and bail on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday.Today, his lawyers said his arrest was triggered by a “baseless suggestion” he was planning to leave the country. The ex-Labour minister’s lawyers, Mishcon de Reya, said in a statement issued this evening: “Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.“The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.“There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPS for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest.”Peter Mandelson’s overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.”Our Standards:
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